Chelsea manager Emma Hayes recently addressed the issue of player-to-player relationships within the same team, deeming them 'inappropriate' due to the additional challenges they pose in management. Hayes, who is set to take over the United States women's national team in June, emphasized the importance of safeguarding measures to protect players in light of recent reports of an investigation into a player-coach relationship at Leicester women's team.
Hayes stressed the need for maintaining high standards in the professional era of women's football, where the focus should be on upholding top-notch expectations for both players and coaches. She acknowledged the complexities that arise from player-to-player relationships, particularly in scenarios where disparities exist such as one player being in the team while another is not, or differences in contract statuses.
While recognizing that such dynamics have historically existed in women's football, Hayes expressed a desire to move past these challenges as the sport evolves into a more professional environment. She highlighted the transition from an amateur game to a professional setting, noting the inherent difficulties in navigating player relationships within this changing landscape.
Hayes emphasized the importance of internal discussions on the matter and the need to address these issues within the context of the sport's historical development. She underscored the significance of striving towards a future where such challenges are minimized, pointing to the progress that women's football has made in recent years.
Notably, players Pernille Harder and Magdalena Eriksson, who have been in a relationship for the past decade, played together at Chelsea for three seasons before moving to Bayern Munich last summer. Their experience sheds light on the complexities and nuances of player relationships within the realm of professional women's football.
